Attraction Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Guests to Disney’s Animal Kingdom cross the park’s
Discovery River onto Pandora – The World of Avatar and continue along a winding rainforest path for their first glimpse of the land’s iconic floating mountains. “When guests come across the bridge, they are
transferred light-years away, to the Alpha-Centauri solar system and Pandora,” says Jon Landau, Avatar producer, Lightstorm Entertainment. “It’s an otherworldly, fully-themed experience.”
In addition to the bioluminescent plants of Pandora, with species names like Spiny Whip, Dapophet and Vein Pod, other wonders of the land include the creatures that guests encounter and, in some cases, interact with. “The landscape will be alive with creatures,” Rohde
says. “We’re bringing to life everything from the largest creature you might encounter to the most microscopic. Animals will appear out of the underbrush – big Pandoran animals will appear at the edge of the forest, and you’ll hear the very complicated calls they issue back and forth.” The thriving Pandoran landscape reinforces messages
intrinsic to Disney’s Animal Kingdom such as transformation through adventure and conservation and stewardship. A similar value system underlies the Avatar film, Landau says, and he’s hopeful guests are inspired to find meaning in their expedition through Pandora. The creative team employed exhaustive research to
develop the realistic appearance of Pandora, a fictional exoplanetary moon mined by humans in Cameron’s movie. Set a generation after a great conflict, the Na’vi and humans are at peace, and the land is experiencing a rebirth. Pandora now welcomes Disney guests as eco-tourists.
Dining in Pandora
Not only can you explore like a Na’vi and talk like a Na’vi – you can eat like a Na’vi, too, in Pandora – The World of Avatar. Dining Na’vi-style is at the heart of Satu’li Canteen, the fast-casual restaurant in the new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The canteen calls out the friendship and cultural kinship that exists between the humans on Pandora and the indigenous Na’vi. The Satu’li Canteen combines creativity and approachable flavours in a menu inspired by the healthful bounty on Pandora, with wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins. An on-stage grill is a prominent feature in the colorful dining room, “bringing all five senses into play,” said Ed Wronski, director, culinary development for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Satu’li Canteen offers 330 seats with an additional 190 seats outside. Adjacent to Satu’li Canteen is Pongu Pongu, Pandora’s specialty beverage
kiosk. “Pongu Pongu” means “party party” and this kiosk, as the story goes, was built by a human who befriended the local Na’vi clan and built a place to gather and socialise. The name came from all the “wild and memorable times” Na’vi and humans had together there.
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Since 2012, Walt Disney Imagineering and Lightstorm
Entertainment have collaborated to imagine and create Pandora through the talents of a team of designers, artists, sculptors, structural engineers, robotic technicians and a host of other professionals. The team traveled to rainforests and tribal areas and worked with artisans, weavers and carvers, including Bali artisans who contributed works to Discovery Island when it opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998. “The attractions have very deliberate emotional moments
crafted into them, the way a good story does, the way a good film does.” Rohde says. “It’s not as simple as just coming to a place that looks realistic. It’s a place that’s been deliberately imbued with the emotions of awe, of wonder, of respect, of harmony.”
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